I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

This is why Marxism is so much more appealing than Christianity; instead of waiting around for Paradise to come, I create Paradise right now.

Oh, yes l remember all too well the 'paradise' of pre-Revolution Romania. If that's the kind of Paradise your new-found theomachist 'faith' leads you to long for, you probably deserve to experience it. Might I suggest North Korea as your next holiday destination?

James

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We owe greater gratitude to those who humble us, wrong us, and douse us with venom, than to those who nurse us with honour and sweet words, or feed us with tasty food and confections, for bile is the best medicine for our soul. - Elder Paisios of Mount Athos

You bemoan the inability to murder in your first post, then triumph in giving money away in your most recent post? So why not save money for the homeless and go "Kick!@#" (referencing the movie) on the evil people? Because you don't actually want to kill anyone. Why bemoan the inability to murder, when you don't actually want to murder anyone?

I know if I knew it was perfectly OK that I would have a loooonnnnggggg list to start on TOMORROW!

This is why Marxism is so much more appealing than Christianity; instead of waiting around for Paradise to come, I create Paradise right now.

Oh, yes l remember all too well the 'paradise' of pre-Revolution Romania. If that's the kind of Paradise your new-found theomachist 'faith' leads you to long for, you probably deserve to experience it. Might I suggest North Korea as your next holiday destination?

For your information, every bit of money I have been making has been going into a charity jar I started at the beginning of the year that I plan to donate at the end of the year and despite my obsession with money, most of the money I make goes to help other people, even when it discomforts me. I did this all without God. To answer the question others have been asking--why do I deserve better/why should God end suffering? Because I am God's responsibility. The entire creation is God's responsibility. If anyone should fix it then it should be Him. God is like Dr. Frankenstein in that He created a monster and blames the monster for its evil and allows it to do evil when He is the one responsible for it. I'm no longer asking God for a handout. I know that He is not going to do anything. So I am creating my own justice, trying to attain my own happiness and helping others do the same. I oftentimes hear people say that God helps you to do good. I disagree. Without God I can do more good than I was ever able to do before. For starters, instead of always daydreaming about some other transcendent 'Second Coming' world that you all dream of, I create the world I want right now as we speak through every dollar I give to a homeless person. This is why Marxism is so much more appealing than Christianity; instead of waiting around for Paradise to come, I create Paradise right now. Earlier you brought up Pascal's Wager by stating how even if God was evil, then you are at least still happy from worshipping Him. I disagree with you. While you may find happiness in Him, I do not. The way I see it is that either way I am going to die in the end whether I am happy or sad. I figure I might as well indulge and be happy in this life living godless than to be tied down and miserable worshipping God only to still die in the end.

If I only had my computer. Why is it taking so long? I have much I would like to say in response.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Knowledge is only part of the walk. "In the end, knowledge will not save them". Faith is what is missing and more important than knowledge. Look at all the knowledge man currently possesses and the harm we do to each other with it and also at our greatest, we are feeble in comparison to God. Faith is what God has asked from us. Childlike faith, not knowledge.

This is why Marxism is so much more appealing than Christianity; instead of waiting around for Paradise to come, I create Paradise right now.

Oh, yes l remember all too well the 'paradise' of pre-Revolution Romania. If that's the kind of Paradise your new-found theomachist 'faith' leads you to long for, you probably deserve to experience it. Might I suggest North Korea as your next holiday destination?

James

What he fails to understand that type of government only works if all the people want do it the right way, which NEVER happens. People are kinda bad.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts.

We can try to understand why God allows all these things to happen if we want to, but as Isaiah 55 points out, its not really possible.

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Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

God does allow suffering this is true. But he did not create our suffering. We did. The only real question is, is allowing this suffering to continue justified? It is. You show it to be justified.

Quote

So I am creating my own justice...

I create the world I want...

Without God I can do more good than I was ever able to do before...

I create Paradise right now...

I create my own happiness...

I achieve my potential...

The world we have today is the world we made. Not God. What you see around you is the best we can do. You have nothing new to offer. The suffering in the world is from our arrogance and rejection of God. God has taken a step back and put his hands up and said something like ¨If you think you can do it alone, do it.¨

Yes, we are doing it all right. The planet will probably not even be habitable for life in the not too distant future. And what do we still say? ¨We do not need God. We can do it by ourselves.¨ Yes, the suffering of today is justified. Very justified. Obviously justified. It is the same from the Garden of Eden. Nothing is new. If you think you can go it alone without God, go for it. Just remember wherever you land is where you put yourself, not God.

Quote

I imagine I will keep this a secret and still attend my Church

I see. So you are starting your new Godless crusade to help fix evil in the world with a lie. Sounds about right.

Sure you can. That's just another lie God told you. I love my baby sister despite my pride and God is not responsible for my love at all. I take pity in you for being a sheep. For all the suffering we have endured, you choose to kiss the behind of the guy who allowed it to happen while I choose to oppose Him and finally stand up and do something about it. I create my own happiness. I achieve my potential. You allow yourself to be bound by a deadbeat father. If anything, some of the most morally enlightened people were godless. Ever notice that God sanctioned genocide and allows everyone to die, whereas the Devil never killed a single person?

God is responsible for you ability to love. If not for him, you would not be able to love.

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"For, by its immensity, the divine substance surpasses every form that our intellect reaches. Thus we are unable to apprehend it by knowing what it is. Yet we are able to have some knowledge of it by knowing what it is not." - St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa contra gentiles, I, 14.

This is why Marxism is so much more appealing than Christianity; instead of waiting around for Paradise to come, I create Paradise right now.

Oh, yes l remember all too well the 'paradise' of pre-Revolution Romania. If that's the kind of Paradise your new-found theomachist 'faith' leads you to long for, you probably deserve to experience it. Might I suggest North Korea as your next holiday destination?

James

You know marxism isn't about paradise, and you are just peddling expired stereotypes.

This is why Marxism is so much more appealing than Christianity; instead of waiting around for Paradise to come, I create Paradise right now.

Oh, yes l remember all too well the 'paradise' of pre-Revolution Romania. If that's the kind of Paradise your new-found theomachist 'faith' leads you to long for, you probably deserve to experience it. Might I suggest North Korea as your next holiday destination?

James

You know marxism isn't about paradise, and you are just peddling expired stereotypes.

Based on his previous posting history, I suspect James will do a stint as a Maoist before it is all over.

But based on posts within this thread, I think he’ll eventually adopt some kind of Liberation Theology along the way and find a happy — or at least not as restless — place.

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Blessed Nazarius practiced the ascetic life. His clothes were tattered. He wore his shoes without removing them for six years.

THE OPINIONS HERE MAY NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED ORTHODOX CHURCH

"Well, although I do not suppose that either of us knows anything really beautiful and good, I am better off than he is - for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows. I neither know nor think that I know. In this latter particular, then, I seem to have slightly the advantage of him. "

« Last Edit: September 25, 2012, 01:39:00 PM by Cyrillic »

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That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went And cannot come again.-A.E. Housman

Sure you can. That's just another lie God told you. I love my baby sister despite my pride and God is not responsible for my love at all. I take pity in you for being a sheep. For all the suffering we have endured, you choose to kiss the behind of the guy who allowed it to happen while I choose to oppose Him and finally stand up and do something about it. I create my own happiness. I achieve my potential. You allow yourself to be bound by a deadbeat father. If anything, some of the most morally enlightened people were godless. Ever notice that God sanctioned genocide and allows everyone to die, whereas the Devil never killed a single person?

God is responsible for you ability to love. If not for him, you would not be able to love.

Thumbs up.

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That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went And cannot come again.-A.E. Housman

This is why Marxism is so much more appealing than Christianity; instead of waiting around for Paradise to come, I create Paradise right now.

Oh, yes l remember all too well the 'paradise' of pre-Revolution Romania. If that's the kind of Paradise your new-found theomachist 'faith' leads you to long for, you probably deserve to experience it. Might I suggest North Korea as your next holiday destination?

James

You know marxism isn't about paradise, and you are just peddling expired stereotypes.

Maybe not, but while it probably wasn't his intention, Marx was still a revolutionary socialist whose ideas and theories helped shape the ideological foundation of some of the worst totalitarian regimes in modern history. It might be wrong to call the communist states marxist, but they were partly based on his ideas.

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Do not be cast down over the struggle - the Lord loves a brave warrior. The Lord loves the soul that is valiant.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who can watch the watchmen?"No one is paying attention to your post reports"Why do posters that claim to have me blocked keep sending me pms and responding to my posts? That makes no sense.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

In consideration of his recent posts, I'd say James needs more help than anyone from an anonymous Internet forum can give him... possibly from a therapist or psychiatric counselor. It's awkward to suggest but this radical psychological shift in a short period of time suggests to me an imbalance (beyond adolescent mood swings) that needs professional help.

Humility and pride are both abstracts of which a CHILD this age is just beginning to have some sort of vague understanding of. Even adults with years and years of life under their belts have limited understanding. He's an infant - and here we are telling him he has to change the next infant's diapers.

James - take it from someone who was the 'brightest' with an incredibly high IQ. I have nothing. Absolutely nothing that wasn't given to me. My parent's passed down the genetics that enabled me to have brain cells that happen to work a little differently than most. And the creation of those braincells? No matter how it comes out they are still MADE. Until you can make a brain cell yourself and pop it into your head and use it exactly the way it COULD be used for the betterment of this world you have such angst about - you have nothing.

So unless you DO something WITH what you've been GIVEN - then you haven't done anything. Unless you take what you have in all your glory and find the kind of love that would turn what you've been given into something loving and kind and patient and long suffering, and applauding LIFE - true LIVING LIFE - you have absolutely nothing.

The one you call Lucifer isn't called Lucifer any longer - his name was stripped from him . . .he's called "satan", now. . .and adjective. Not a name. He's called 'the accuser', he is the ultimate liar, the ultimate thief, the ultimate destroyer, murderer and corrupter.

And you would chose this THING that DESTROYS and MURDERS tears down over that which builds up, heals, loves, shed His blood . . .

?Really?

You are for Him or you are against Him. There is no "still love Jesus" as He presents Himself on the cross - after His only thought was making SURE YOU had the OPPORTUNITY to live. But it's your choice. It's always your choice. You get to choose life or death. Healing or corruption. It's always your choice. It's the ONE thing you have COMPLETE control over. It's the one thing ALL of us have complete control over.

Instead you decided to become a spiritual anorexic.

But His death was not in vain. It will never be in vain. His grace to you is not in vain. It will never be in vain. His Word (Christ Jesus) IN YOU will not come back to HIM (the Father) void.

Like I told my daughter when she screamed at me that she hated me - "I love you, I always will - there is NOTHING you can do to change that fact."

He says the same to you.

He is the safest person to get mad at. He loves you unconditionally. I was the safest person for my daughter to get mad at. I love her unconditionally. Her daddy left her. Rejecting her to her face when she was seven. She couldn't be mad at him. . .he wasn't there. But I was, and she was mad. I was safe, I wouldn't hurt her like her daddy hurt her.

Why? Is the world such a sucky place?

Because we fight a war, James. We are in a war and will be in a war until we leave this place. We aren't in heaven. We aren't in hell. We're on earth - and it is 'cursed because of you.' (Adam) . . .and me. . .and everyone else on the face of this planet. We fight ourselves, we fight the evil ones that HATE US. We fight the world. We're in a war - and it's always a question of which side you're on. Life or death.

Why doesn't He stop it? Because God so loved the universe, the world, the dust, the breath, the stars, the elephants, the bees, the rocks, the trees. . . because He so loves us. . . and He has compassion on us. . .so He offers us healing and gave HIS ONLY Son to die for us. . .so that we might CHOOSE to heal. And in our healing, the earth heals. What a beautiful thing He did. He not only gave us a way to heal, but enabled us to be a HUGE PART of this redemption the earth. . . to be able to share in HIS GLORY. But if we share in His Glory, we also SHARE in HIS suffering. He suffered. . .and the only way we can really KNOW Him is to SHARE with Him WHO He is.

You see, James, it's not about the here and now. . . the material . . .it's about eternity. It's about HIM. It's about HIS desire to see you ALIVE for The accuser never sat down and MADE a beautiful thing in his life. He WAS MADE. He HAD true light. . .but it wasn't HIS. . . it was NEVER his. It was God's and when he turned his back on God, God took it back.

He's a liar. And a coward.

I used to be so angry at God. I told Him that I couldn't be hot for Him, but I believed in Him. . .and knew it was me that was messed up. I came from a messed up family and perpetuated the messed up myself.

He loved me anyway. . .and opened doors for me and surrounded me with people to help me understand.

What do I understand now? There was no one NO ONE to pray for my abusive grandfather. There was NO ONE to pray for my other abusive grandfather, there was NO ONE to pray for my Grandmothers. . .my mother. . . my brother's and sisters. . . .so that we ALL might find His peace, His redemption. But He placed me in a place to 'suffer' . . .and grief I suffered. And grief HE suffered. WITH me. He was there every single moment. Suffering WITH me. And I learned. . . and He filled me with His love. . . and I healed DESPITE. I was born into this messed up family for a reason . . .a GOOD REASON. . .a loving reason. A reason that gave hope. . . and now. . .after years of prayer, I'm seeing my mother heal. I'm seeing my brothers and sisters heal. . .and my dad. . . heal. I'm seeing all the GOOD come together. . . that good work He started in me. . .the day I was conceived.

So. You are in my prayers. . and will remain.

And I pray that I will see with my own eyes your healing. Because you may not deserve it, but you ARE worth it.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

Indeed, those trying to help him are guilty of hubris, thinking that their reasoning is capable of reaching the mind of an adolescent mid-tantrum. If what Quinault has said to him hasn't snapped him out of it then perhaps a stint in the French Foreign Legion or the Marine Corps would do him well. Something to teach him some maturity and discipline.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

I write about everyday life experience, not poverty porn. Where I live 25% of the population does not have clean running water. How about where you live?

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

Indeed, those trying to help him are guilty of hubris, thinking that their reasoning is capable of reaching the mind of an adolescent mid-tantrum. If what Quinault has said to him hasn't snapped him out of it then perhaps a stint in the French Foreign Legion or the Marine Corps would do him well. Something to teach him some maturity and discipline.

As long as you know him.

Give him your number and get to know him a little better. Perhaps you already have. I mean you've done it for others in times of stress? Right?

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

I write about everyday life experience, not poverty porn. Where I live 25% of the population does not have clean running water. How about where you live?

Yikes!Where do you live?

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Do not be cast down over the struggle - the Lord loves a brave warrior. The Lord loves the soul that is valiant.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

I write about everyday life experience, not poverty porn. Where I live 25% of the population does not have clean running water. How about where you live?

Yes, you are the Ice Cube of your generation.

Comparing embellishments of the imagined vicissitudes of one life of suffering to another sounds pretty much like the raison d'etre of poverty pr0n.

Take this to private and I'll give you some material to inspire your enterprise.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

I write about everyday life experience, not poverty porn. Where I live 25% of the population does not have clean running water. How about where you live?

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

Indeed, those trying to help him are guilty of hubris, thinking that their reasoning is capable of reaching the mind of an adolescent mid-tantrum. If what Quinault has said to him hasn't snapped him out of it then perhaps a stint in the French Foreign Legion or the Marine Corps would do him well. Something to teach him some maturity and discipline.

As long as you know him.

Give him your number and get to know him a little better. Perhaps you already have. I mean you've done it for others in times of stress? Right?

Yeah, discipline . . .

Indeed and have benefited from it as well. I have sent him a PM and he is free to get a hold of me however he prefers.

But really, running water isn't the best method of determining quality of life. My little factoid: I grew up where 1 in 3 women is sexually assaulted. That number is likely higher since natives tend to cover it up. The US isn't a perfect model of clean and ethical living.

You know, I do actually understand where the OP is coming from. I have been angry with God like that. But the last thing I needed was someone that just petted my head, told me I was so deep, and let me continue to spew bile. There is a point in life where you have to put on your big girl pants and make due with what you have. This is an issue of personal character moreso than faith. The anger with God is a symptom of a greater problem. Hopefully he will work past those issues. But no amount of coddling will help him. If wanted my number, he can ask and I will give it to him. But don't expect me to pet your head and tell you how brilliant you are. You aren't the first to notice that life often sucks, and you won't be the last.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

Indeed, those trying to help him are guilty of hubris, thinking that their reasoning is capable of reaching the mind of an adolescent mid-tantrum. If what Quinault has said to him hasn't snapped him out of it then perhaps a stint in the French Foreign Legion or the Marine Corps would do him well. Something to teach him some maturity and discipline.

As long as you know him.

Give him your number and get to know him a little better. Perhaps you already have. I mean you've done it for others in times of stress? Right?

Yeah, discipline . . .

Indeed and have benefited from it as well. I have sent him a PM and he is free to get a hold of me however he prefers.

So in other words, without knowing much about a person you parse out advice based on some seemingly incendiary posts. Posts which to anyone with a little compassion, experience, insight, and perhaps knowing the person a little better than just from what they post here would understand much more lies beneath.

So, hubris and lack of "knowledge" so celebrated here..

You, Quinault, and company and deal out your "tough love" with whatever projections you must exercise in the world, but know that at least one person here sees it for what it is.

I don't mean this list to be exhaustive, but Gebre, Second Chance (sorry Karl, still trying), quietmorning and the like offer a little room for the possibility more might be at stake and whatever their projections might be, they come from the heart and offer a little bit of caring that might actually be taken for what it is.

My point is, that the OP is not happy. He wants to claim that being without (and honestly opposed to) God will give him happiness. Everyone that believes in God is a sheeple and he is the only smart one. Now, if he decided to abandon faith and was happy, I wouldn't say a word. But if he decides to spew bile all over I will point out he is going too far. There have been many posters that claimed they left all faith that I haven't said a word to. If they seem happy in their choice, I don't need to say a word. I see the OP as an injured animal lashing out at everyone and everything. He is hurt. At some point he has to move past the angry lashing out and get to the source of the problem. The source of that problem isn't a belief, or lackthereof in God.

I do not judge you, nor do your words make me angry. I cannot help but to believe that those who so honestly and boldly express their displeasure with God are actually quite near to Him. In spite of your advice that I not pray for you, I will pray my unworthy prayers nonetheless.

I was the brightest student in all the classes, my Priest even urged me to come sometimes just because he said that having me in the class would benefit the other teens. Yet even with my knowledge I have turned my back on God. I won't worship the deadbeat father responsible for all the suffering in the world.

Hubris, pure and simple.

Yeah and I think this thread is feeding it. Probably should've left it locked.

I read more hubris from those trying to "help" James than from James himself.

For all their "knowledge" they don't seem too great at helping others. Wonder, if they have even spoken to him.

But hey, we at least found out one of the newer members here can write poverty pr0n.

I write about everyday life experience, not poverty porn. Where I live 25% of the population does not have clean running water. How about where you live?

Yes, you are the Ice Cube of your generation.

Comparing embellishments of the imagined vicissitudes of one life of suffering to another sounds pretty much like the raison d'etre of poverty pr0n.

Take this to private and I'll give you some material to inspire your enterprise.

A very generous offer but I see all the material I need on a daily basis. As in right now, in this moment.

I asked you a question about running water, why did not you answer? I will ask you another. I can pick up a stone from my current location and hit a family living without electricity and running water in a home they made from garbage. Well, let us see. It looks like they might have an illegal connection they set up for themselves. That is the norm you know. How about you, let us hear it.

My generation? What is my generation? Do you know? You do not. You have no idea. You are just blowing smoke out of your self-righteous arse. JamesR does not want help or did not you notice that. I think he made that perfectly clear. You spend your time helping people who want help. You do not waste your time on people who do not.

Excuse me ¨vicissitudes¨& ¨raison d'etre¨ Yeah, I am sure you grew up in the lap of poverty.

You are still a young man. Chances are you will go through many such revelatory eras in your life, full of their own bold, declarative statements which you will eventually think better than to hash out publicly as you've done here. I myself lived if not as an atheist, exactly, then certainly as an agnostic for about a decade after my mother passed away when I was a few years younger than you are now. I didn't understand -- well, more couldn't understand -- how a supposedly loving God could take a mother from her two not yet grown children, and what's more one who loved Him as much as my mother did. Of course, now the answer seems almost obvious (the lovers of God desire Him more than life, and He, loving them as He does, grants their wishes), but I wouldn't really get it for many years.

This isn't my way of saying "You'll grow out of it" or "You're young and dumb" or anything like that, by the way. Ours is a free faith, and you are not required to come back. I just hope that you have all the time in the world to learn the lessons you can only learn with time. I mean, not to harp on the point, but your faith status still says "just baptized", so it's not crazy to wonder if there's something to be said in waiting until you are a little less impulsive before deciding what you believe about God.

As to the passions and all that, Lord have mercy, because there but by the grace of God we would all be, and also thank God that He lets His sun shine upon us all, regardless of where we are. This might be a weird note to end on, but as 17th century Yemenite Rabbi Shalom Shabazi put it, even if the gates of the wealthy are closed, the gates of heaven will never be closed. Something to think about in this life, at least.